Former home minister, Robert Garnett Lyngdoh who was instrumental for the return of peace in Meghalaya and during whose tenure militancy in the State was crushed, passed away today.
62-year-old Lyngdoh was battling cancer for months. He was on ventilator support in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at Bethany Hospital after his health condition deteriorated on July 11.
He breathed his last at his residence in Nongrim Hills here at around 11:40 am.
His last rites will be conducted on July 31 at his residence at 1 pm. He will be cremated at the electric crematorium in Mawprem.
“We will respect his wish that he should be cremated,” said family members.
A much admired politician known for his no nonsense attitude, Lyngdoh represented Laitumkhrah Assembly Constituency for two terms between 1998 to 2008.
He was the son of a former Lok Sabha MP and ex-Speaker of Meghalaya Peter G. Marbaniang and brother of East Shillong MLA Ampareen Lyngdoh and West Khasi Hills Superintendent of Police, Herbert G. Lyngdoh.
Lyngdoh has served as the vice chancellor of Martin Luther Christian University from 2013 to 2017.
A popular musician known for his flair with harmonica, Lyngdoh was the co-founder of famed Blues band “Mojo” in the late 1980s.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Conrad Sangma has condoled Lyngdoh’s demise.
“The fearless Shri R G Lyngdoh, former Home Minister of Meghalaya was a personality we all looked up to. Cheerful and witty, Bah Robert was a friend to everyone he encountered,” Sangma tweeted.
Governor Satya Pal Malik in his condolence message termed Lyngdoh as “a visionary leader, an able administrator and a fine gentleman”.
Former Assembly Speaker Abu Taher Mondal said Lyngdoh’s “only vision was the interest of the people”.
Mondal also recalled the bold steps taken by Lyngdoh for the return of peace and tranquility in the State.
Leader of Opposition Dr. Mukul Sangma was among many others who condoled the death of the former home minister.
Meanwhile, the Central Puja Committee also paid its condolences to Lyngdoh, who was a patron of the CPC.
CPC general secretary JL Das described him as a “true, honest, dedicated leader who led from the front and won many hearts as a legislator and as an administrator.”
Lyngdoh was patron of the CPC since 2002 and would attend its programmes as often as possible.
A very active member of the Congress party, Lyngdoh was suspended from the Congress in June 2008 for a period of six years for “indiscipline”. He rejoined the party in September 2021.
